U.S. patent application number 11/435628 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for merchandise management system and information storage medium.
Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Mori, Hisao Tanabe.
Application Number | 20060282324 11/435628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37525190 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060282324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mori; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
December 14, 2006 |
Merchandise management system and information storage medium
Abstract
A merchandise management system comprises a shelf tag provided
in man exhibit position of a product, and a portable reader/writer
for changing a display content on the shelf tag. The shelf tag
comprises a display section using an electronic paper, an IC tag, a
control section which changes product information based on change
information, and controls a displayed status on the shelf tag based
on an electrical power signal and the product information, and a
receiving section which receives the change information and the
electrical power signal from the reader/writer via a radio
communication, and outputs the received change information to the
changing device, and outputs the received electrical power signal
to the controlling device. The reader/writer generates the change
information based on a displayed status to be changed, generates
the electrical power signal for driving the shelf tag, and
transmits it to the shelf tag.
Inventors: |
Mori; Hiroyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Tanabe; Hisao; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
37525190 |
Appl. No.: |
11/435628 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.1 ;
705/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/20 20130101;
G06Q 30/0207 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014 ;
705/016 |
International
Class: |
G07G 1/14 20060101
G07G001/14; G06Q 20/00 20060101 G06Q020/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 8, 2005 |
JP |
P2005-168785 |
Claims
1. A merchandise management system, comprising a display device
provided in an exhibit position of a product, and a portable
information processing device for changing a display content on the
display device, the display device, comprising: a displaying device
which comprises a display medium that retains a displayed status
without electrical power, and which displays product information
corresponding to the product placed in the exhibit position in
which the display device is provided, using the display medium; a
non-volatile storing device which stores at least display device
identification information for identifying the display device from
other display devices; a controlling device which controls a change
of the displayed status, based on an electrical power signal, and
change information for changing the displayed status; and a
receiving device which receives the change information and the
electrical power signal from the information processing device via
radio communication, and outputs the received change information
and electrical power signal to the controlling device, the
information processing device, comprising: a change information
generating device which generates the change information based on
the displayed status to be changed; an electrical power signal
generating device which generates the electrical power signal for
driving the controlling device; and a transmitting device which
transmits the electrical power signal and the change information
generated respectively to the display device, based on the display
device identification information corresponding to the display
device on which the displayed status is to be changed.
2. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein
the information processing device further comprises: an
identification information reading device which reads the display
device identification information from the storing device; a
comparing device which compares the read display device
identification information, and display device identification
information which is included in the change information, and which
indicates the display device for which the displayed status is to
be changed, before changing the displayed status; and a comparison
result announcing device which announces a comparison result
indicating that the read display device identification information,
and the display device identification information which indicates
the display device for which the displayed status is to be changed
are different, if they are different, before changing the displayed
status.
3. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, further
comprising a server device comprising: an indication information
generating device which generates status indication information
that indicates the displayed status to be changed; and an
indication information transmitting device which transmits the
generated status indication information to the information
processing device, the information processing device, further
comprising an indication information receiving device which
receives the transmitted status indication information, wherein the
change information generating device generates the change
information based on the received status indication
information.
4. The merchandise management system according to claim 3, wherein
the status indication information includes location information
which indicates a location in a store of the display device for
which the displayed status is to be changed; and the information
processing device further comprises a location image displaying
device which displays an image of a location that indicates the
location based on the location information included in the
transmitted status indication information.
5. The merchandise management system according to claim 3, wherein
the information processing device further comprises: an
identification information reading device which reads the display
device identification information from the storing device; an
identification information transmitting device which transmits the
read display device identification information to the sever device,
before changing the displayed status; and a modification indication
information announcing device which announces modification
indication information which is transmitted from the server device,
and; the server device further comprises: a comparing device which
compares the transmitted display device identification information,
with the display device identification information that indicates
the display device for which the displayed status is to be changed;
and a modification indication information transmitting device which
transmits the modification indication information to the
modification indication information announcing device, before
changing the displayed status, if the transmitted display device
identification information and the display device identification
information that indicates the display device for which the
displayed status is to be changed are different, wherein the
modification indication information indicates that they are
different, and includes the display device identification
information that indicates the display device for which the
displayed status is to be changed.
6. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein
the information processing device further comprises a change status
announcing device which announces displayed'statuses before and
after changing the displayed status respectively in such a way that
they are comparable with each other.
7. The merchandise management system according to claim 6, wherein
the change status announcing device comprises a change status
displaying device which displays each of the displayed status
before the sending device in the information processing device
transmits the electrical power signal and the change information to
the display device.
8. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein
the receiving device in the display device, and the sending device
in the information processing device send/receive the electrical
power signal and the change information, using electromagnetic
waves in the same frequency band.
9. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein
the receiving device in the display device, and the sending device
in the information processing device send/receive the electrical
power signal and the change information, using electromagnetic
waves in different frequency bands.
10. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein
the display device is one which requires the product information
before changing, for changing the displayed status; and the storing
device in the display device further stores the product information
corresponding to the displayed status before changing.
11. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein
the product information includes product identification information
for identifying the product from other products.
12. The merchandise management system according to claim 11,
wherein the controlling device in the display device displays, on
the displaying device, a bar-code which indicates the product
identified by the product identification information based on the
included product identification information.
13. An information storage medium in which a control program for a
merchandise management system is stored, wherein the merchandise
management system comprises: a display device provided in an
exhibit position of a product, the display device comprising a
displaying device which comprises a display medium that retains a
displayed status without electrical power, and which displays
product information corresponding to the product placed in the
exhibit position in which the display device is provided, using the
display medium, and a non-volatile storing device which stores at
least display device identification information for identifying the
display device from other display devices; and a portable
information processing device for changing a display content of the
display device, wherein the control program controls operations of
the display device and the information processing device in the
merchandise management system, and comprises: a display device
program which enables a display device computer in the display
device to function as: a controlling device which controls a change
of the displayed status based on an electrical power signal, and
change information for changing the displayed status; and a
receiving device which receives the change information and the
electrical power signal from the information processing device via
radio communication, and outputs the received change information
and electrical power signal to the display device computer
functioning as the controlling device, and a processing program
which enables a processing computer in the information processing
device to function as: a change information generating device which
generates the change information based on the displayed status to
be changed an electrical power signal generating device which
generates the electrical power signal for driving the display
device computer functioning as the controlling device; and a
transmitting device which transmits the generated electrical power
signal and change information to the display device computer, based
on the display device identification information corresponding to
the display device for which the displayed status is to be changed,
and wherein the display device program and the processing program
are stored so that they are readable by the display device computer
and the processing computer, respectively.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of merchandise
management system, and information storage medium and, more
particularly, to the field of merchandise management system for
managing displayed prices of products for sale or the like in a
store comprising multiple product exhibit shelves, and information
storage medium on which a control program for the merchandise
management system is stored.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, the amount and kind of products to be dealt
with in a store such as a grocery store is increasing, while a
price of each item is changed frequently (in some cases, a number
of times each day) such as when offering a bargain sale under
present conditions.
[0005] Conventionally, as techniques for managing displayed prices
of these products, there are methods, for example, according to the
Patent Documents 1 to 3 listed below.
[0006] However, these techniques are all based on the assumption
that a content of each shelf tag will be rewritten automatically
via wireless communication.
[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2002-133519
[0008] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2003-276810
[0009] [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2004-035143
[0010] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-133519
is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0011] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-276810
is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The disclosure of the
corresponding US Publication No. 2003182193A1 is also incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
[0012] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-035143
is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0013] However, in each of the conventional techniques described
above, to rewrite the content of the shelf tag, it is necessary to
establish radio communications to numerous shelf tags, and then
sending/receiving information for rewriting, and therefore, it is
necessary to install a high-power transceiver permanently, for
example, in a ceiling of the store.
[0014] Thus, in such a conventional case, there is a problem that a
large engineering work is also needed for installing the
transceiver, since its configuration includes the transceiver
permanently, and there is another problem that, if in a rented
store, the techniques themselves described above can not be used,
since it is not allowed to make a hole in the ceiling and so
on.
[0015] These problems also lead to enormous costs and efforts such
as when the store is renovated or the conventional merchandise
management system itself is updated, and as a result, there is a
problem that, in a store whose scale is not so large, it is
impossible to install the conventional merchandise management
system as described above.
[0016] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
each problem described above, and an object of the present
invention is to provide a merchandise management system, and
information storage medium in which a control program for the
merchandise management system is stored, wherein the merchandise
management system can be easily introduced, and operated, and can
centrally manage displayed status on shelf tags corresponding to
products traded at the store, even if the store is a relatively
small-scale store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
1 relates to a merchandise management system, comprising a display
device provided in an exhibit position of a product, and a portable
information processing device for changing a display content on the
display device,
[0018] the display device, comprising:
[0019] a displaying device which comprises a display medium that
retains a displayed status without electrical power, and which
displays product information corresponding to the product placed in
the exhibit position in which the display device is provided, using
the display medium;
[0020] a non-volatile storing device which stores at least display
device identification information for identifying the display
device from other display devices;
[0021] a controlling device which controls a change of the
displayed status, based on an electrical power signal, and change
information for changing the displayed status; and
[0022] a receiving device which receives the change information and
the electrical power signal from the information processing device
via radio communication, and outputs the received change
information and electrical power signal to the controlling
device,
[0023] the information processing device, comprising:
[0024] a change information generating device which generates the
change information based on the displayed status to be changed;
[0025] an electrical power signal generating device which generates
the electrical power signal for driving the controlling device;
and
[0026] a transmitting device which transmits the electrical power
signal and the change information generated respectively to the
display device, based on the display device identification
information corresponding to the display device on which the
displayed status is to be changed.
[0027] Accordingly, since a displayed status on a displaying device
is changed using a portable information processing device, a
display content for a display device provided in the exhibit
position of each product can be rewritten by a simple and low-cost
system without need to build a permanent radio system for changing
an indication of each displaying device.
[0028] In addition, since product information corresponding to each
product is displayed by the displaying device that utilizes a
display medium that retains a displayed status without electric
power, an operational cost of the merchandise management system
itself can be greatly reduced.
[0029] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
2 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0030] wherein the information processing device further
comprises:
[0031] an identification information reading device which reads the
display device identification information from the storing
device;
[0032] a comparing device which compares the read display device
identification information, and display device identification
information which is included in the change information, and which
indicates the display device for which the displayed status is to
be changed, before changing the displayed status; and
[0033] a comparison result announcing device which announces a
comparison result indicating that the read display device
identification information, and the display device identification
information which indicates the display device for which the
displayed status is to be changed are different, if they are
different, before changing the displayed status.
[0034] Accordingly, when display device identification information
which is read at information processing device, and display device
identification information which indicates a displaying device on
which an displayed status should be changed are different, such
result will be announced at the information processing device, so
that a user carrying the information processing device can move to
the location of the correct display device to change its displayed
status.
[0035] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
3 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0036] further comprising a server device comprising:
[0037] an indication information generating device which generates
status indication information that indicates the displayed status
to be changed; and
[0038] an indication information transmitting device which
transmits the generated status indication information to the
information processing device,
[0039] the information processing device, further comprising an
indication information receiving device which receives the
transmitted status indication information,
[0040] wherein the change information generating device generates
the change information based on the received status indication
information.
[0041] Accordingly, since change information is generated using
status indication information from the server device, and a
displayed status on the display device is then changed using the
change information, the displayed status of the display device
corresponding to each product can be managed centrally at the
server device.
[0042] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
4 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
3,
[0043] wherein the status indication information includes location
information which indicates a location in a store of the display
device for which the displayed status is to be changed; and
[0044] the information processing device further comprises a
location image displaying device which displays an image of a
location that indicates the location based on the location
information included in the transmitted status indication
information.
[0045] Accordingly, since a location in the store of a display
device on which a displayed status is to be changed is displayed on
the information processing device carried along by a user, the user
of the information processing device can arrive at the display
device at which the displayed status is needed to be changed
without losing one's way.
[0046] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
5 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
3,
[0047] Wherein the information processing device further
comprises:
[0048] an identification information reading device which reads the
display device identification information from the storing
device;
[0049] an identification information transmitting device which
transmits the read display device identification information to the
sever device, before changing the displayed status; and
[0050] a modification indication information announcing device
which announces modification indication information which is
transmitted from the server device, and;
[0051] the server device further comprises:
[0052] a comparing device which compares the transmitted display
device identification information, with the display device
identification information that indicates the display device for
which the displayed status is to be changed; and
[0053] a modification indication information transmitting device
which transmits the modification indication information to the
modification indication information announcing device, before
changing the displayed status, if the transmitted display device
identification information and the display device identification
information that indicates the display device for which the
displayed status is to be changed are different, wherein the
modification indication information indicates that they are
different, and includes the display device identification
information that indicates the display device for which the
displayed status is to be changed.
[0054] Accordingly, when display device identification information
which is read at an information processing device and display
device identification information which indicates a display device
at which a displayed status should be-changed according to the
server device are different, modification indication information
which indicates that they are different, and which includes the
display device identification information that indicates the
display device at which the displayed status should be changed will
be announced at the information processing device, so a user
carrying the information processing device can move to a location
of the correct display device to change its displayed status.
[0055] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
6 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0056] wherein the information processing device further comprises
a change status announcing device which announces displayed
statuses before and after changing the displayed status
respectively in such a way that they are comparable with each
other.
[0057] Accordingly, since displayed statuses before and after a
change are respectively announced on the information processing
device in a way that they are comparable with each other, the user
carrying the information processing device can change the displayed
status correctly while confirming the statuses before and after the
change.
[0058] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
7 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
6,
[0059] wherein the change status announcing device comprises a
change status displaying device which displays each of the
displayed status before the sending device in the information
processing device transmits the electrical power signal and the
change information to the display device.
[0060] Accordingly, since displayed statuses before and after a
change is displayed on the information processing device before a
displayed status is actually changed, the actual changing process
can be performed after the change of the displayed status is surely
confirmed.
[0061] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
8 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0062] wherein the receiving device in the display device, and the
sending device in the information processing device send/receive
the electrical power signal and the change information, using
electromagnetic waves in the same frequency band.
[0063] Accordingly, since the electrical power signal and the
change information are sent/received using electromagnetic waves in
a same frequency band, the structures relating to the
sending/receiving performed at each of the display device and the
information processing device can be simplified.
[0064] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
9 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0065] wherein the receiving device in the display device, and the
sending device in the information processing device send/receive
the electrical power signal and the change information, using
electromagnetic waves in different frequency bands.
[0066] Accordingly, since the electrical power signal and the
change information are sent/received using electromagnetic waves in
different frequency bands, the electrical power signal and the
change information can be surely sent/received without need to
consider an effect of an interference or the like.
[0067] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
10 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0068] wherein the display device is one which requires the product
information before changing, for changing the displayed status;
and
[0069] the storing device in the display device further stores the
product information corresponding to the displayed status before
changing.
[0070] Accordingly, since the product information corresponding to
a displayed status before changing is stored in the storing device,
the display device can change the displayed status without
functional problems, even if the display device itself needs the
product information before being changed in changing the displayed
status.
[0071] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
11 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
1,
[0072] wherein the product information includes product
identification information for identifying the product from other
products.
[0073] Accordingly, since product identification information is
included in the product information, the product information can be
displayed while each display device clearly express the product to
which the display device corresponds.
[0074] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
12 relates to the merchandise management system according to claim
11,
[0075] wherein the controlling device in the display device
displays, on the displaying device, a bar-code which indicates the
product identified by the product identification information based
on the included product identification information.
[0076] Accordingly, since a bar-code which indicates a product to
which a display device corresponds is displayed on the display
device, the bar-code can be read easily, and utilized for various
other processes.
[0077] In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim
13 relates to an information storage medium in which a control
program for a merchandise management system is stored,
[0078] wherein the merchandise management system comprises:
[0079] a display device provided in an exhibit position of a
product, the display device comprising a displaying device which
comprises a display medium that retains a displayed status without
electrical power, and which displays product information
corresponding to the product placed in the exhibit position in
which the display device is provided, using the display medium, and
a non-volatile storing device which stores at least display device
identification information for identifying the display device from
other display devices; and
[0080] a portable information processing device for changing a
display content of the display device,
[0081] wherein the control program controls operations of the
display device and the information processing device in the
merchandise management system, and comprises:
[0082] a display device program which enables a display device
computer in the display device to function as:
[0083] a controlling device which controls a change of the
displayed status based on an electrical power signal, and change
information for changing the displayed status; and
[0084] a receiving device which receives the change information and
the electrical power signal from the information processing device
via radio communication, and outputs the received change
information and electrical power signal to the display device
computer functioning as the controlling device, and
[0085] a processing program which enables a processing computer in
the information processing device to function as:
[0086] a change information generating device which generates the
change information based on the displayed status to be changed
[0087] an electrical power signal generating device which generates
the electrical power signal for driving the display device computer
functioning as the controlling device; and
[0088] a transmitting device which transmits the generated
electrical power signal and change information to the display
device computer, based on the display device identification
information corresponding to the display device for which the
displayed status is to be changed, and
[0089] wherein the display device program and the processing
program are stored so that they are readable by the display device
computer and the processing computer, respectively.
[0090] Accordingly, since a displayed status on a displaying device
is changed using a portable information processing device, a
display content for a display device provided in the exhibit
position of each product can be rewritten by a simple and low-cost
system without need to build a permanent radio system for changing
an indication of each displaying device.
[0091] In addition, since product information corresponding to each
product is displayed by the displaying device that utilizes a
display medium that retains a displayed status without electric
power, an operational cost of the merchandise management system
itself can be greatly reduced.
[0092] Accordingly, since a displayed status on a displaying device
can be changed using a portable information processing device by
reading and executing each program by respective computers, the
display content for a display device which is provided an exhibit
position of each product can be rewritten by a simple and low-cost
system without need to build a permanent radio system for changing
a display on each of the displaying device.
[0093] In addition, since each computer operates in a way that
product information corresponding to each product is displayed by
the displaying device using a display medium that retains the
displayed status without electrical power, an operational cost of a
merchandise management system itself can be greatly reduced.
[0094] The advantageous effects of the inventions are as
follows:
[0095] According to the invention described in claim 1, since a
displayed status on a displaying device is changed using a portable
information processing device, the display content for a display
device which is provided in the exhibit position of each product
can be written by a simple and low-cost system without need to
build a permanent radio system for changing a display on each
displaying device.
[0096] In addition, since product information corresponding to each
product is displayed by the displaying device using a display
medium that retains a displayed status without electric power, an
operational cost of the merchandise management system itself can be
greatly reduced.
[0097] Therefore, a merchandise management system which controls a
display content of a product on the display device provided in the
product exhibit position of the corresponding product can be
introduced easily and at a low cost, and a displayed status of a
shelf tag corresponding to the product dealt with can be controlled
readily even if in a relatively small-scale store.
[0098] According to the invention described in the claim 2, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, when a display device identification information read at an
information processing device and a display device identification
information which indicates a displaying device on which an
displayed status should be changed are different, such difference
will be announced at the information processing device, so a user
carrying the information processing device can move to the location
of the correct display device to change its displayed status.
[0099] According to the invention described in the claim 3, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, change information is generated using status display information
from a server device, and a displayed status on the display device
is then changed using the change information, so that the displayed
status on the display device corresponding to each product can be
managed centrally at the server device.
[0100] According to the invention described in the claim 4, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
3, since a location inside the store of a display device whose
displayed statuses to be changed would be displayed on the
information processing device carried along by a user, the user of
the information processing device can arrive at the display device
that needs the change of its displayed status without losing one's
way.
[0101] According to the invention described in the claim 5, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
3, when a display device identification information read at an
information processing device and a display device identification
information which identifies a display device whose displayed
status should be changed at the server device are different,
modification indication information including the display device
identification information which indicates that they are different
and indicates the display device whose displayed status should be
changed will be announced at the information processing device, so
a user carrying the information processing device can move to a
location of the correct display device to change its displayed
status.
[0102] According to the invention described in the claim 6, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, since respective displayed statuses before and after a change
are announced on the information processing device in such a way
that they are comparable with each other, a user carrying the
information processing device can change the displayed status
correctly while confirming the before and after change of
statuses.
[0103] According to the invention described in the claim 7, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
6, since displayed statuses before and after a change is displayed
on the information processing device prior to actually changing a
displayed status, the actual changing process can be performed
after the change of the displayed status is surely confirmed.
[0104] According to the invention described in the claim 8, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, since the electrical power signal and the change information are
sent/received using electromagnetic waves in the same frequency
band, the structures relating to the sending/receiving for each of
the display device and the information processing device can be
simplified.
[0105] According to the invention described in the claim 9, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, since the electrical power signal and the change information are
sent/received using different frequency bands, the electrical power
signal and the change information can be surely sent/received
without need to consider an effect of an interference or the
like.
[0106] According to the invention described in the claim 10, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, since the product information corresponding to a displayed
status before being changed is stored in the storing device, the
display device can change the displayed status, while the product
information before being changed is not included in the change
information again, and the change information is simplified, even
if the display device itself needs the product information before a
change of the displayed status. In addition, when displaying again
(redisplaying) the product information because of a trouble (for
example, secular degradation of a display medium), the product
information can be redisplayed using the electric power and an
indication signal for redisplaying from the information processing
device not via the merchandise management system.
[0107] According to the invention described in the claim 11, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
1, since product identification information is included in the
product information, the product information can be displayed while
each display device clearly express the product to which the
display device corresponds.
[0108] According to the invention described in the claim 12, in
addition to the advantage of the invention described in the claim
11, since a bar-code which indicates a product to which a display
device corresponds is displayed on the display device, the bar-code
can be read easily, and utilized for various other processes.
[0109] Accordingly, since a displayed status on a displaying device
is changed using a portable information processing device, a
display content for a display device provided in the exhibit
position of each product can be rewritten by a simple and low-cost
system without need to build a permanent radio system for changing
an indication of each displaying device.
[0110] In addition, since product information corresponding to each
product is displayed by the displaying device that utilizes a
display medium that retains a displayed status without electric
power, an operational cost of the merchandise management system
itself can be greatly reduced.
[0111] Therefore, a merchandise management system which controls a
display content of a product on the display device provided in the
product exhibit position of the corresponding product can be
introduced easily and at a low cost, and a displayed status of a
shelf tag corresponding to the product dealt with can be controlled
readily even if in a relatively small-scale store.
[0112] According to the invention described in the claim 13, since
a displayed status on a displaying device can be changed using a
portable information processing device by reading and executing
each program by respective computers, the display content for a
display device which is provided in an exhibit position of each
product can be rewritten by a simple and low-cost system without
need to build a permanent radio system for changing a display on
each of the displaying device.
[0113] In addition, since each computer operates in such a way that
product information corresponding to each product is displayed by
the displaying device using a display medium that retains the
displayed status without electrical power, an operational cost of a
merchandise management system itself can be greatly reduced.
[0114] Therefore, a merchandise management system which controls a
display content of a product on the display device provided in the
product exhibit position of the corresponding product can be
introduced easily and at a low cost, and a displayed status of a
shelf tag corresponding to the product dealt with can be controlled
readily even if in a relatively small-scale store.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0115] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram-of a merchandise management
system according to an embodiment;
[0116] FIGS. 2A and 2B are configuration diagrams of a shelf tag as
a display device included in the merchandise management system
according to an embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is a schematic block
diagram of it, and FIG. 2B is an example of its display;
[0117] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a reader/writer
included in the merchandise management system according to an
embodiment;
[0118] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process of changing of an
indication on the shelf tag according to an embodiment;
[0119] FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrative indications on the
reader/writer in the process of changing of an indication on the
shelf tag according to an embodiment, wherein FIG. 5A is an example
of an indication for confirming a location, and FIG. 5B is an
example of an indication for confirming changes; and
[0120] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic block diagrams of the shelf
tag according to a variation, wherein FIG. 6A is a schematic block
diagram of the shelf tag according to a first variation, and FIG.
6B is a schematic block diagram of the shelf tag according to a
second variation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0121] Preferred embodiments for practicing the present invention
now will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiments
and variations described below are cases wherein the present
invention applies to a merchandise management system which controls
displays of shelf tags in a small-scale store such as a so-called
convenience store.
(I) Embodiments
[0122] At first, embodiments according to the present invention
will be described referring to FIG. 1 to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0123] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a
merchandise management system according to the embodiment; FIGS. 2A
and 2B show a configuration of a shelf tag as a display device
included in the merchandise management system; FIG. 3 shows a
schematic block diagram of a reader/writer as an information
processing device included in the merchandise management system;
and FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a process of changing of an
indication of a shelf tag according to the embodiment; and FIGS. 5A
and 5B show diagrams that illustrates an indication on the
reader/writer in the process for changing.
[0124] As showed in FIG. 1, a merchandise management system S
according to the embodiment is comprised of a control terminal POS
as a server device and an indication information generating device,
an access point AP as an indication information transmitting device
and a modification indication information transmitting device, a
reader/writer RW, and a shelf tag D.
[0125] In this configuration, the shelf tag D is provided at a
front side of a store shelf S on which products P are placed, and
shows a present price and so on for the products P. The shelf tag D
comprises a display section 40, as described below, which includes
a display medium that retains its displayed status without
electrical power (for example, an electronic paper material such as
an electrophoretic element having a memory characteristic, an
electro-optical element having a memory characteristic, or an
electrochromic element having a memory characteristic), and is
configured to be able to rewrite its display content based on a
control by radio communication from the reader/writer RW.
[0126] On the other hand, the control terminal POS is configured as
a so-called POS (Point of Sale: information management at the time
of sale) terminal, and centrally controls information which
indicates names, prices, inventory quantities, expiration
date(freshness date for foods), and so on of all products dealt
with in a store. In addition, a control terminal POS according to
the embodiment gives to, and receives from the reader/writer RW,
change information Spos for changing a display content on the shelf
tag D using radio communication via the access point AP.
[0127] Then, the access point AP which is wirelessly connected to
the reader/writer RW via so-called wireless LAN(Local Area Network)
or the like, transmits the change information Spos to the
reader/writer RW.
[0128] Then, the reader/writer RW performs a process for rewriting
a display content on the shelf tag D based on the change
information Spos obtained via the access point AP. At this time,
the reader/writer RW is carried along by a user(in particular, a
salesclerk of the store) to a location of the shelf tag D on which
the display content is to be changed, arid then, radio communicates
with the shelf tag D at the location to change the display
content.
[0129] Now, constructional details of the shelf tag D, from among
the constructional elements described above, will be described with
referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 2A, the shelf tag D according to the
embodiment is comprised of a communication section 10 as a
receiving device, an IC tag chip 20 as a storing device and a
controlling device comprising a so-called IC(Integrated Circuit)
tag, a driver section 30 as a controlling device, and a display
section 40 as a displaying device.
[0131] In this configuration, the communication section 10
communicates wirelessly with the reader/writer RW by RF(Radio
Frequency) to give to and receive from the reader/writer,
information for controlling a displayed status as the shelf tag
D.
[0132] On the other hand, the IC tag chip 20 stores identification
information which indicates itself (in other words, identification
information for identifying from other products, the product P
whose price or the like is displayed on the shelf tag D), and
outputs the identification information as control information Sif
to the communication section 10 or the like, as required. In
parallel with this, the IC tag chip 20 outputs control information
Stg, which is needed to change the displayed status on the display
section 40, to the driver section 30, as required.
[0133] When the control information Sif indicating that a price of
the product P which is identified by the identification information
outputted from the IC tag chip 20 is to be rewritten is transmitted
from the reader/writer RW via the communication section 10, the
driver section 30 generates a display signal Sdp for changing the
displayed status on the display section 40 based on a content of
the control information Sif, and outputs the signal to the display
section 40.
[0134] If the display content of the display section 40 is changed
by the display signal Sdp, then the display section 40, which is
comprised of the display medium that retains its displayed status
without electric power as described above, retains the present
displayed status, and keeps to display the display content until
the next-time's change of the display content.
[0135] Examples of displays on the display section 40 includes at
least specific information 43 which is displayed such as when
required, name information 44 which indicates a name of the
corresponding product P, so-called bar-code information 42 for
identifying the product P, and price information 41 which indicates
a present price of the product P, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.
[0136] Constructional details of the reader/writer RW from among
the constructional elements described above will be described here
with reference to FIG. 3.
[0137] As shown in FIG. 3, the reader/writer RW according to the
embodiment is comprised of a CPU 50 as a change information
generating device, a comparing device, a comparison result
announcing device, an identification information reading device,
and an electrical power signal generating device, a radio
communication section 60 as an indication information receiving
device, an IC tag communication section 70 as a transmitting
device, a display 1 as a modification indication information
announcing device comprising a liquid crystal display or the like,
and an operating section 2 comprising a plurality of operation
buttons, dials, or the like.
[0138] In this configuration, the radio communication section 60
wirelessly communicates with the access point AP, gives to and
receives from it, information that is necessary for changing the
display content of the shelf tag D including the change information
Spos, and outputs this information as radio information Slan to the
CPU 50 as required.
[0139] The IC tag communication section 70 wirelessly communicates
with the communication section 10 of the shelf tag D by the RF,
gives to and receives from it, information that is necessary for
changing the display content of the shelf tag D including the
identification information stored in the IC tag chip 20, and
outputs this information as tag information Sic to the CPU 50 as
required.
[0140] The CPU 50 mainly handles a process for changing a display
according to an embodiment described later, and performs the
process for changing based on an operation signal Sop outputted
from the operating section 2 according to an operation of the
operating section 2 by a user. At this time, information necessary
for the process for changing is outputted as the display signal Sdp
to the display 1, and displayed on it as required.
[0141] A process for changing a display of the shelf tag D
according to an embodiment now will be described in more detail
with references to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A and 5B, which is performed
in the merchandise management system S of the embodiment comprising
a shelf tag D and a reader/writer. RW which have their respective
configurations described above.
[0142] In the process for changing, at first, when the data for
changing a display is sent from an external line such as a
telephone line, a control terminal POS receives the data (step S1),
and then, based on the received data, sends indication information
Sor to the reader/writer RW via the access point AP (step S2). The
indication information Sor includes position information which
indicates a position within a store of the shelf tag D on which a
display content is to be changed, and identification information
which is stored in the IC tag chip 20 in the shelf tag D, and which
indicates that the display content of the shelf tag D should be
changed.
[0143] Then, the reader/writer RW, which receives the indication
information Sor via a radio communication section 60 (step S10),
displays the position within the store of the shelf tag D on which
the display content is to be changed, based on the position
information included in the received indication information Sor,
for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In the example showed in
FIG. 5A, the position of the shelf tag D on which the display
content is to be changed is displayed as a position display PP
along with a whole layout of store shelves in the store. The
position display PP may be blinking 100.
[0144] Then, a user who carries the reader/writer RW which displays
the position display PP moves to the displayed position in the
store with a reference to the display while the reader/writer is
kept to be carried along by the user (step S11), and then, call
information Sir which calls the identification information from
within the IC tag chip 20 in the shelf tag D is transmitted to the
shelf tag D (in the indicated position) (step S12).
[0145] Thus, the IC tag chip 20 in the shelf tag D reads
identification information stored therein, and send it as
identification information Sid correspondingly to the call
information Sir (step S20), and then, the sent identification
information is received at the IC tag communication section 70 of
the reader/writer RW (step S13).
[0146] Then, the reader/writer RW compares the identification
information sent from the control terminal POS (see the steps S2
and S10) with the identification information sent from the shelf
tag D (see the steps S20 and S13) to check if their contents are
matched with each other (step S14).
[0147] In this checking process, when the two identification
information is not matched, since it would be concluded that the
user had the identification information read from the shelf tag D
on which the display content should not be changed, a map within
the store such as described in FIG. 5A along with an indication
that instructs the user to move is displayed on the display 1 again
to move the user to the position of the correct shelf tag D. On the
other hand, when the both identification information are matched in
the checking process of the step S14, it would be concluded that
the user has moved to the correct position at present, and then,
requesting information Srq (including the matched identification
information Sid) which requests information necessary for rewriting
a display content of the shelf tag D is transmitted to the control
terminal POS via the access point AP (step S15).
[0148] The control terminal POS which receives the requesting
information Srq (step S3) checks (verifies) the identification
information Sid which requests a change of the display content
again to be sure (step S4), generates change information Scg which
includes specific changes, and send it to the reader/writer RW
again (step S5). At this time, the specific changes comprises, for
example, information that indicates a new price, information that
indicates whether or not a product is on sale (this information is
displayed as the specific information 43), information indicates a
new name, and the like.
[0149] The checking process of the step S4 may be omitted on
condition that the checking process of the step S14 is performed on
the reader/writer RW. If a discrepancy between the identification
information is detected for the first time in the checking process
of step S4, an instruction to move will be transmitted from the
control terminal POS to the reader/writer RW.
[0150] Then, the reader/writer RW which received the change
information Scg (step S16) displays, on the display 1, display
contents before and after changing at the shelf tag D whose display
content is to be changed, and, in addition, generates display
change information Srw for actually changing a display content on
display 40 of the shelf tag D based on the change information Scg,
and outputs the display change information to the communication
section 10 of the shelf tag D together with a driving signal which
becomes power for driving the driver section 30 in the shelf tag D.
In this case, the display 1 displays, as a display content, as
illustrated in FIG. 5B, a display content 101 before a change and a
display content 102 after the change, along with an indication such
as an arrow 103 which indicates the changing in a position that
represents a relation between the display contents before and after
the change clearly. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a
changed portion may be displayed in a different manner from other
displayed portions to clarify the changed portion (for example,
tens place of a price in FIG. 5B).
[0151] The shelf tag D, which has received the display change
information Srw, and drives the driver section 30 by the driving
signal included in the received display change information Srw,
thereby changing the display content on the display 40 to a content
indicated by the display change information Srw (step S21), and
generating a completion information Sf which indicates a finish of
the change, and sending it to the reader/writer RW (step S22) when
the change is completed.
[0152] The reader/writer RW, which has received the completion
information Sf, further transfers it to the control terminal POS
(step S18), and the control terminal POS finally receives the
completion information Sf (step S6) so that a series of process of
changing of a displayed status is finished.
[0153] According to the process of changing of an indication on the
shelf tag in accordance with the embodiment described above, since
a displayed status on the shelf tag D is changed using the portable
reader/writer RW, a display content on the shelf tag D provided in
the exhibit position of each product P can be rewritten by a simple
and low-cost system without need to build a permanent radio system
for changing an indication on each shelf tag D.
[0154] In addition, since product information (such as a price)
corresponding to each product P is displayed by the shelf tag D
which employs a display medium that retains a displayed status
without electric power, an operational cost of the merchandise
management system S itself can be greatly reduced.
[0155] Therefore, a merchandise management system S which controls
a display content of a product for the shelf tag D provided in the
exhibit position of the corresponding product can be introduced
easily and at a low cost, and a displayed status of the shelf tag D
corresponding to the product dealt with can be controlled readily
even if in a relatively small-scale store.
[0156] In addition, since, when identification information read at
the reader/writer RW, and identification information which
indicates the shelf tag D on which a displayed status should be
changed are different, such difference will be announced at the
reader/writer RW, a user carrying the reader/writer RW can move to
the location of the correct shelf tag D to change its displayed
status.
[0157] In addition, since change information Srw is generated using
indication information Sor from the control terminal POS and the
displayed status on the shelf tag D is then changed using the
change information Srw, the displayed status on the shelf tag D
corresponding to each product P can be controlled centrally at the
control terminal POS.
[0158] In addition, since a location in the store of the shelf tag
D on which a displayed status is to be changed is displayed on the
reader/writer RW, the user of the reader/writer RW can arrive at
the shelf tag D on which the displayed status is needed to be
changed without losing one's way.
[0159] In addition, since, when identification information of shelf
tag D which is read at the reader/writer RW, and identification
information which indicates a shelf tag D on which a displayed
status should be changed according to the control terminal POS are
different, modification indication information which indicates that
they are different, and which includes the identification
information that indicates the shelf tag D on which the displayed
status should be changed will be displayed on the reader/writer RW
(see FIG. 5A), a user carrying the reader/writer RW can move to a
location of the correct shelf tag D to change its displayed
status.
[0160] In addition, since displayed statuses before and after a
change are respectively displayed on the reader/writer RW in such a
way that they are comparable with each other (see FIG. 5B), the
user carrying the reader/writer RW can change the displayed status
correctly while confirming the statuses before and after the
change.
[0161] In addition, since displayed statuses before and after the
change are displayed on the reader/writer RW before a displayed
status is actually changed, the actual changing process can be
performed after the change of the displayed status is surely
confirmed.
[0162] In addition, since change information Srw which includes a
driving signal are sent/received using electromagnetic waves in the
same frequency band, the structures relating to the
sending/receiving performed at each of the shelf tag D and the
reader/writer RW can be simplified.
[0163] Furthermore, since bar-code information 42 which indicates a
corresponding product P is displayed in product information, the
bar-code information can be read easily, and utilized for various
other processes.
(II) Variations
[0164] Variations of the present invention here will be described
with references to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B.
[0165] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are block diagrams which show schematic
configurations of reader/writers according to the variations. In
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the same members as component members of the
shelf tag D in the embodiments are numbered with numbers of
corresponding members respectively, and their detail descriptions
are omitted.
[0166] While, in the above first embodiment, the driving signal
which is a driving source to change a display content of the shelf
tag D, and the change information Srw which indicates such changes
specifically are sent/received using electromagnetic waves in the
same radio frequency band, in a first variation, CPU 11 which acts
on a processing instruction from a communication section 10 may be
further provided in a shelf tag D1 to reduce noise and clearly
separate both of them as shown in FIG. 6A.
[0167] In a second variation, as shown in FIG. 6B, the driving
signal which is the driving source to change a display content of
the shelf tag D, and the change information Srw which indicates
such changes specifically may be sent/received separately using
electromagnetic waves in respective radio frequency bands which are
different from each other. In this case, a communication section
10A (dedicated to sending/receiving of driving signals) separate
from the communication section 10 (dedicated to sending/receiving
of change information Srw) is provided in a shelf tag D2.
[0168] According to the second variation, since the driving signal
and the change information Srw are sent/received using
electromagnetic waves in different frequency bands, the driving
signal and the change information Srw can be surely sent/received
without need to consider an effect of an interference or the
like.
[0169] Additionally, according to the third variation, the function
of CPU 11 such as illustrated in FIG. 6A can be included in any one
of the IC tag chip 20 or the driver section 30. In this case, one
of the IC tag chip 20 or the driver section 30 in which the
function of CPU 11 is included is electrically connected to the
other. In this configuration, when the function of CPU 11 is
included in the driver section 30, for example, the driving signal
and the change information Srw are sent from a portion that
functions as the CPU 11, to the IC tag chip 20.
[0170] According to a third variation, since the driving signal and
the change information Srw are supplied to, for example, the IC tag
chip 20 by a portion that functions as the CPU 11, the IC tag chip
20 does not need to wirelessly communicate with an outside so that
a frequency band other than those used regularly as the IC chip tag
20 can be used for another purpose.
[0171] Although a case has been described in which the information
is given to and received from the control terminal POS to change an
indication on the shelf tag D in the embodiments and variations
described above, the information may be given to and received from
a register device placed on a cash desk in the store alternatively
so that the indication information which instructs to change an
indication on the shelf tag D can be sent from the register
device.
[0172] Although a case has been described in which, in changing a
displayed status on the display section 40 of the shelf tag D, it
is able to be changed only by the change information Scg in the
embodiments and variations described above, product information
which includes the price information 41 and the like may be stored
in the IC tag chip 20 when the display portion 40 that needs the
price information 41 and the like corresponding to a displayed
status before a changing because of a characteristics of the
display portion 40 according to the present invention is used.
[0173] A general-purpose computer can be utilized as the control
terminal POS, the CPU 50 in the reader/writer RW, or the IC tag
chip 20 in the shelf tag D of the present embodiment by storing a
program corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4 in an
information storage medium such as rewritable removable memory
device (for example, flexible disk, solid semiconductor memory) or
a hard disk, or acquiring and storing it via Internet, and reading
and executing it by the general-purpose computer.
[0174] Along with the advantages of the present invention mentioned
above, the following advantages are derived:
[0175] a) A change content can be confirmed on that site, since an
indication of the shelf tag D is updated before user's
(salesclerk's) eyes;
[0176] b) A work of change (and check) of the display content can
be performed at the same time of a work such as inventory control
or replenishment of products;
[0177] c) A work of checking a stock of actual goods can be
performed on the occasion of changing displayed information so that
its result can be collated with data in the control terminal POS or
a sales information management data;
[0178] d) In the small-scale store, since an area of the store and
the number of products itself is small, the number of products to
be changed and a frequency of change are limited. Therefore, when a
user (salesclerk) does works (for changes) in front of a store
shelf on which a display content should be changed, the change of
displayed information can be done quickly and surely;
[0179] e) Cooperation with a conventional POS system is enabled
easily.
[0180] As described above, the present invention can be applied to
the field of merchandise management for a store, and prominent
advantages of the present invention is obtained, in particular,
when it is specifically applied to the field of merchandise
management for a small-scale store.
[0181] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered
in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of
the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by
the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore,
intended to be embraced therein.
[0182] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2005-168785 filed on Jun. 8, 2005 including the specification,
claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
* * * * *